World Wetlands Day 2016

Introduction and background		Theme and message		Links

Introduction and background 

World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on 2nd February to raise awareness about the value of wetlands for humanity and the planet. Each year, a theme is selected to focus attention on a vital function of wetlands. The day marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands, named the Ramsar Convention, on 02 February 1971. Wetlands take care of water and are often described as nature’s supermarkets. It is important that they are well protected.

The theme

The theme for 2016, under the banner “Wetlands for our Future” is: Sustainable Livelihoods and is selected to demonstrate the vital role of wetlands for the current and future wellbeing of humanity and to promote the wise use of all sorts of wetlands.

All of us depend on wetlands to supply freshwater for our daily needs, but more than one billion people around the world depend directly on wetlands to earn an income through activities such as; fishing, rice growing, selling water, construction, weaving, medicine, transport and tourism etc. For these people, healthy wetlands are essential for their livelihoods and vital for their wellbeing.

Related links

• World Wetlands Day
• The Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar Convention

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